Population of Soft Corals Along the Coast of Jeju

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.442

Category

동식물

Designated year

2004

Location

서귀포시, 제주특별자치도— 제주 서귀포시 대포동 대포코지 2499-1 외

Coordinates

33.224241, 126.516996

Soft coral refers to those corals with soft surfaces and flexible stems. The corals along the coast of Jeju consist of anthozoa invertebrates called “flowers of the sea.” Soft corals particularly resemble cockscomb flowers, and their size varies according to whether they are inflated or deflated. Many various types of coral live with the soft coral group, including stony corals, black corals, and sea fans. In the Songaksan Mountain sea area on the Daejeong-eup side, the population of soft corals lives 3-18m deep, and a tourist submarine will most likely be operated in this area. On the Songaksan Mountain side, soft coral forms beautiful flower beds. The five islands in the coastal area of Seogwipo (Beomseom Island, Munseom Island, Saeseom Island, Supseom Island, and Jigwido) Island form a natural breakwater where soft coral and anthozoa form colorful groups on the rock bed. The waters of Jeju are the habitat of some 92 of the 132 species of Korean anthozoa, and 66 of these can only be found in Jeju, living in groups on rock beds at depth of 10-30m. The Songaksan Mountain and Seogwipo waters are rare soft coral habitats that show coral groups in their natural state; thus, they are important places in studying the distribution of soft coral. At present, the Seogwipo sea area (70,410,688 square meters) and the Songaksan Mountain area (22,229,461 square meters) have been designated as Natural Monuments.

Location